Following weeks of speculation, Sen. Patty Murray formally announced Tuesday that she will serve as chairwoman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee next year.

Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) introduced the Washington state Democrat as the new DSCC chairwoman, calling her &ldquo;an experienced, strong hand&rdquo; to lead the campaign arm for the 2012 cycle. She also led the DSCC in 2002.

Murray will replace outgoing DSCC Chairman Bob Menendez (N.J.) as 23 incumbents face re-election in 2012 in a host of battleground states. Murray, who will retain her current title of Conference secretary, acknowledged the uphill challenge at a news conference following Democrats&rsquo; weekly caucus luncheon, during which she announced to colleagues that she would serve as the DSCC&rsquo;s leader.

&ldquo;I&rsquo;m not agreeing to chair the DSCC because it&rsquo;s easy; I&rsquo;m doing it because our country is facing tough times and we need tough leaders who will make our economy and jobs the top priority,&rdquo; she said.

Murray met in recent weeks with Reid and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina, who is a former Senate staffer, in a multifront charm offensive that appears to have been successful, but they are still nailing down details.

According to a Democratic Senate aide, a host of Members also approached Murray on Monday night during a floor vote to encourage her to take over the DSCC next year.

Murray emerged as the most likely pick in recent weeks after a handful of Democrats, including Sens. Mark Warner (Va.), Al Franken (Minn.) and Charles Schumer (N.Y.), turned down the job. Schumer had previously served two terms as DSCC chairman.